Preferred Name and Pronoun FAQ

Q: Who may enter a preferred first name and pronoun?
A: All students, faculty, or staff members may enter their first name and pronoun preferences.

Q: I want to change my preferred name (not legal name) or pronoun. How do I do this?
A: You can change your preferred name or pronoun in the Hampshire directory. Please note that your narrative evaluations will reflect your preferred name, but your transcript page and the name listed at the top of each evaluation will be your legal name.

Q: I’m a current student who has had a legal name change. How do I have my records changed to reflect my new legal name?
A: Please complete the Amend Records Form, available in and returned to the central records office. Also note that if you had previously entered a preferred name, that will still be displayed in place of your updated legal name. You should check your name preference on the directory to ensure it’s what you want to be displayed.

Transcripts, however, are issued in the name under which you attended Hampshire. Transcripts can be changed only if you are requesting that your legal name and preferred pronouns be amended to reflect a change in gender identity. Contact centralrecords@hampshire.edu with questions.

Q: How long does it take to have my records amended if I have a legal name change?
A: Because we have to edit all of your narrative evaluations, it may take up to 45 business days. You will have a chance to review your records for accuracy after we have made the changes.

Q: I have a preferred name; will my preferred name or legal name be shown on my Hampshire OneCard?
A: Your preferred name will be shown on your Hampshire OneCard. If you already possess a Hampshire OneCard and then change your preferred name, there is a fee for a replacement OneCard.

Q: Where does my legal name appear on College records and/or systems used throughout campus?
A: Your legal name will appear on:

your transcript page(s) and at the top of each evaluation

your diploma

tax forms used in the course of student employment such as I-9, W-4, M-4, etc.

tax forms issued by the college such as W-2, 1098-T, 1095-C, etc.

any other place where we are compelled to do so by law

any checks issued to you by the College

any financial aid documents and website because it may contain legal documents such as promissory notes

Q: Where does my preferred name appear on College records and/or systems used throughout campus?
A: Your preferred name will appear

on the roster that faculty see on TheHub and in your narrative evaluations

On the front of your orientation folder and Hampshire OneCard, which will be presented to you during new student check-in.

Q: How do I change the name that displays in Hampshire webmail?
A:You can change your display name (from name) in your webmail setting as long as the use of this different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation. Log in to webmail, go to "Settings," click "Identities," select your name listed under "Identities," edit your "Display Name" and then save. Your username (e.g. abc13) cannot be changed in Webmail and must be done by requesting a username change as instructed in the Username Creation and Change policy. Do not edit the "Email" field in your webmail identity. This will not change your email address and will most likely prevent you from receiving reply messages. Don't forget to also update your display name in any other email platforms that you may also use, such as your smart phone, or email programs such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.

Q: What pronoun options do I have?
A: A committee of students, faculty, and staff discussed various options and settled on the following values, available to all Hampshire community members.

HE

SHE

THEY

ZE/HIR

NONE (do not use a pronoun)

Q: What happens if I don't select a pronoun?
A: The words "not set" will be displayed. This may be challenging for faculty who don't know the appropriate pronouns to use when writing evaluations, so we encourage all community members to record a pronoun.

Q: Where are pronouns displayed?A: On TheHub class rosters and advising lists, in Moodle class rosters, and in the Hampshire College directory (displayed only when a Hampshire community member is logged in). Pronouns are never displayed on public websites (those not requiring a Hampshire login).

Q: I just received an evaluation and my preferred name and/or pronouns are not correct. How do I get this fixed?
A: Preferred name and pronoun errors can be resolved by contacting the appropriate school administrator.

Q: If I take a Five College class are my preferred name and pronouns shared with the faculty teaching the class?
A: Currently, the policies at the other colleges regarding the use of preferred names and pronouns differ significantly. As such, there is no single mechanism to share this with our Five College neighbors. That said, the Five College registrars are working to unify a method to support sharing this information.

Q: Wait! I just found a place/system that appears to use my legal name and I think it should use my preferred name. What do I do?
A: Contact IT staff at helpdesk@hampshire.edu. We strive to make as many campus and related systems use both preferred name and pronoun. Please understand, however, that in some instances the College does not control these systems and may or may not be able to change their behavior.

Q: I am registered for a Five College course. Where does my preferred name appear in systems across the Five Colleges?
A: Currently, the policies at the other colleges regarding the use of preferred first names and pronouns differ significantly. Although we share preferred first name information along with legal names through the request system, each campus may handle preferred first name usage differently both on class rosters and in Moodle sites. The Five College registrars are working on procedures to support the use of preferred first names across the campuses.

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